The Indian Coast Guard on Feb 21 intercepted an Iranian-crewed vessel, Al Mukhtar, inside India’s EEZ in the Arabian Sea, around 115 nautical miles west of Dwarka, and recovered 200 cartons containing about one lakh packets of foreign-brand cigarettes concealed in the holds. The ICG estimated the international market value of the seized cigarettes at ₹2.5–5 crore and said the boat, manned by four Iranian nationals, is being escorted to Porbandar for further investigation and joint interrogation with stakeholders.
